The Road to 100 Miles - Cascade Crest 100

It’s interesting when you think about the concept of running 100 miles.  The act alone is quite significant and one that a lot of people will never even attempt, let alone succeed at.  Possibly the more significant act is actually the training that is necessary to even get to the race.  The time that it takes to sufficiently train for these kinds of events is extensive to say the least and verging on a full on burden.  You have to put the effort in to get in all the running or you will surely suffer come race day.  So to put it in perspective here is a listing of what my training has been the last eight weeks or so. 

69 miles - May 30th-June 5th (long run 48- R2R2R)

29 miles - June 6th-June 12th (long run 9.5)

26 miles - June 13th-June 19th (long run 7.5)

52 miles - June 20th - June 26th (long run 22.5 Kachina/Weatherford Loop)

32 miles - June 27th - July 3rd (13.1 Over & Back Camelback Mtn)

45 miles - July 4th- July 11th (20.1 McDowell>Pemberton Loop)

49 miles - July 12th - July 17th (23 Kachina/Weatherford Loop)

67 miles - July 18th- July 24th (50 Mt. Lemmon 50)

39 miles - July 25th - July 31st (20 Cabin Loop)

              - August 1st - August 7th (Cabin Loop 40 M)

At first glance, I’m a little disappointed in the total numbers.  My weekly mileage is less than what a lot of ultrarunners put in normally and for 50 mile race training programs.  Everyone has different priorites and while I am very dedicated to running, and this race, I’m also very dedicated to having a healthy relationship with my wife.  Taking off for 2-3 hours several times a week, all day on weekends every weekend, takes a very supportive spouse.  Something I’v been very fortunate to have to this point.  With every take there has to be some give and there certainly have been times that I’ve returned from work planning on running an hour or two in the mountains only to scratch it knowing she had a rough day at work and it’s time better spent at home.  I consider those few times my additional “rest days” that maybe even allowed my body to recuperate a little more for the next run.

Knowing that I’ve yet to put in 80 miles in a single week I do know that my long runs have all been quality runs with a lot of climbing and sustained downhills.  My standard 6-8 mile runs in my mountain backyard have all been tough 800-2000 ft climbathons with steep ascents and sharp, dramatic, rough downhills, all runs finishing strong, fast and all out.  My really long runs have been a Rim to Rim to Rim trip in late May that was very successful and I felt strong climbing all day.  I’ve done two trips to high altitude and done 20 plus mile ascents of Mt. Humphries (12,633ft) in Flagstaff, all with elevations ranging no lower than 8,000ft and upwards over 12,000.  I also put in some serious time in the Catalina Mountains in late July with a 50 mile, 11,500 ft of climbing, night run up and down Mt. Lemmon.  This was a 16 hour jaunt through the forests and having started at night (as with the R2R2R) it simulates the fatigue you endure as we all had been awake since early that morning.  By the finish of both those runs we had been awake for over 24 hours, exactly what will happen in a 100 mile race.  As well, it’s excellent headlamp/night training that often people seem to lack.

Many of these runs have been solo runs forcing myself out the door and into some trail system to knock out the time, build the body up and push myself when I don’t want to be pushed.  Many times I have really struggled to pop out of bed at 430am to beat the heat, the timeclock or the schedule of everyday life.  Would I like more hours on the trail?  More long runs, some majestic quest through the mountains that I can draw from later on come race day?  Sure, but I think I already have enough to be able to really pull through when I need it.  I’ve done 4 crossings of the Grand Canyon, two of them over 20 hours which for the sheer experience of time on your feet is extremely valuable.  I have several 50 mile races this year that I can draw from, two of which were over 15 hours and in rugged, unsupported (at least the Supes) and self driven nature.  It’s one thing to race 50 miles, it’s another to head out on your own schedule and knock out the miles when nobody is pushing you from behind.  I think those two experiences will help mentally even without the overall mileage that others may have. 

I hope to put in 70 plus miles this week after a 40 mile run on the Mogollon Rim this weekend followed by another long day in the mountains with a fellow WMRC runner for 3-4 hours.  Those two runs, the second on presumably tired legs, should provide for a great week of training only three weeks away from the big race.

Next week?  Maybe two 4 hour runs back to back in town and the following week only one long run under 20 miles.  I’m a big fan of tapering, and going into a race very fresh.  I hope that’s the case and after a few more big runs I’ll be as ready as i hope to be and proof that you don’t in fact need to log 80-100 miles a week to be successful at completing 100 mile races.  Either that or I’ll be proof otherwise...